One Bloor Hopes to Gain Additional Density at Upcoming CoA Hearing

It looks like Great Gulf is continuing to push for an even larger One Bloor. An upcoming Committee of Adjustment hearing is slated to address a density increase which would result in an additional five storeys of new suites, bumping the total to 75 floors. The new storeys would be within the height already approved for the previous Bazis proposal on the site. The Hariri Pontarini-designed One Bloor has already started construction, with excavation completed at the corner of Yonge and Bloor.

Project rendering for One Bloor, image courtesy of Great Gulf Homes

The additional five storeys would translate into a residential gross floor area increase of nearly 13,000 m2; that's quite a few expansive (and no doubt expensive) new penthouses, sure to promise breathtaking views of the city from their perch nearly a quarter of a kilometre above ground level.

Excavation at One Bloor, 05.16.2012, image courtesy of cruzin4u

While the increase won't directly effect surrounding buildings, it would put further pressure on the area and could influence future developments within the neighbourhood. With 50 Bloor Street West pushing for 83 storeys, an additional 13,000 m2 storeys less than a block away from it will make for a very tall and busy cluster. We have yet to see any supertall buildings in Toronto (those over 300 metres, according to the CTBUH), however we're inching closer to the tipping point, sure to coincide with a spike in debate as to what's too tall for Toronto.

What do you think of One Bloor's size increase, and more importantly, what do you consider too big in the case of Toronto? Let us know below, or join the discussion on the project thread.

Multi-awarding-winning Great Gulf’s flagship condominium, One Bloor is under construction in Toronto. Now 85% sold, this $450 million project will provide 100,000 sq. ft. of new prime retail on three...